"It’s not enough to simply talk about what people need in regard to behavioral health,” said Dr. Monteic A. Sizer, NE Delta HSA Executive Director, “It’s about putting tangible programs and services in place to help meet the real needs of real people."
Monroe, LA (PRWEB) September 11, 2014
NE Delta HSA is expanding its innovative behavioral health and primary care integration work by including Peer Support programs in its innovative business model. This model actively promotes the development of integrated primary and behavioral health services to better address the needs of individuals with mental health and substance use conditions, whether seen in specialty behavioral health or primary care provider settings. Additionally, this model aims to ensure that wherever a person enters the healthcare system in northeastern Louisiana, they have access to the care they need.
NE Delta HSA currently oversees peer support centers in Monroe, Ruston and its newest center in Bastrop, which opened in June 2014. These peer support centers are managed day-to-day through its partner agency, The Extra Mile of northeast Louisiana. Additional peer support centers are in the works, including a Lake Providence, Louisiana location slated to open later this year.
The Extra Mile peer support centers are recovery-oriented, consumer-directed centers where citizens develop and utilize programs to supplement existing mental health and addictive disorder services to further engage in their own recovery process. Centers are managed by people who have reached an understanding of their own mental health issues and can serve as peers to others. Peer center programs include support groups, activities that provide opportunities for socialization, personal and educational enrichment, and peer support.
“Depending on the client’s need, The Extra Mile peer support centers are able to refer patients to one of our behavioral health clinics, or to one of our primary care partners,” said Dr. Monteic A. Sizer, NE Delta HSA Executive Director. “Peer support counselors have ‘been in the client’s shoes’ and understand the need for care that will best meet a person’s need.”
“We are enthusiastically embracing Dr. Sizer’s vision to expand the number of peer support centers available throughout our communities.” said Tonya Turner-Larry, Director of The Extra Mile of Northeast Louisiana. “We are excited to be a part of this innovative model that provides such critical services within our region.”
“It’s not enough to simply talk about what people might need in regard to behavioral health,” said Dr. Sizer. “Rather, it’s about putting tangible programs and services in place to help meet the real needs of real people. We will continue to deliver programs and services that provide excellent customer service with greater access, delivered by competent, skilled clinicians.”
The timing of NE Delta HSA’s integrative model expansion coincides with Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMSHA) National Recovery Month, a month-long, nationwide celebration of recovery throughout September. This year’s theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Speak Up, Reach Out,” encourages people to openly speak up about mental and substance use disorders and the reality of recovery, and promotes ways individuals can recognize behavioral health issues and reach out for help. Northeast Delta HSA is conducting a variety of activities in September to celebrate and support National Recovery Month in our own region, culminating in hosting a Town Hall meeting in Tensas Parish on September 30.
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About Northeast Delta Human Services Authority (Northeast Delta HSA)
Northeast Delta HSA directs the operation of community-based programs to improve the quality of life of people with major mental illness, developmental disabilities and addictive disorders. Northeast Delta HSA is devoted to deliver programs and services that encourage people to reach their true human potential.
Three tenets guide our efforts: excellent customer service, greater access to services and competent, quality care. Northeast Delta HSA serves citizens in 12 parishes of northeastern Louisiana: Caldwell, East Carroll, West Carroll, Ouachita, Lincoln, Madison, Franklin, Morehouse, Jackson, Tensas, Richland and Union. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.nedeltahsa.org or call 318-362-3270.
Media Contact:
Jill Hirsekorn
Northeast Delta HSA Public Information Director
2513 Ferrand Street, Monroe, LA 71201
Phone 318-362-5482
http://www.nedeltahsa.org